JP2001324990A - Navigation device with voice guidance - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly provide voice guidance having appropriate contents in accordance with the operation of a user. SOLUTION: When an output voice phrase generated by an automatic voice generating means 11 exists in a memory 9, a voice synthesizing means 10 reads the contents of the phrase from a recording medium 3 and voice is outputted from a loudspeaker 13. Output voice phrase generated by a request voice generating means 12 are also set in the memory 9. When a user makes a request to a user request means of an input device 8, the means 10 reads a voice phrase from the medium 3 in accordance with the contents of a table of the memory 9 and outputs the phrase from the loudspeaker 13. The contents of the output voice phrase outputted in accordance with the request made by the user are stored in the memory 9 before the request is made. Thus, voice guidance is quickly provided in accordance with the request.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a navigation device with voice guidance for providing a route guidance of a vehicle by voice output.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a navigation device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, which searches for a route from a departure point to a destination in advance, and guides the vehicle along the searched route, displays only images. Instead, voice guidance is also provided. Voice guidance is useful because there may be driving situations in which it is difficult for the driver to look at the display screen while driving.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-254443 discloses a prior art vehicle navigation device having a function of automatically performing voice guidance and a function of performing a function in response to a request from a driver or the like. In this prior art, a plurality of audio output phrases are stored in an audio buffer, and the request audio or the automatic audio is generated by combining the phrases stored in the audio buffer. When the voice phrase required for the voice output to be generated is not stored in the voice buffer, the necessary voice phrase is selected from the guide phrases recorded on an external recording medium such as a CD-ROM, and stored in the voice buffer. When the audio buffer runs out of space, the less frequently used audio phrase is replaced with a new audio phrase.

[0004]

Problems to be Solved by the Invention
The reason why both the automatic sound and the request sound are generated in the prior art of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H07-27138 is that, as described in the related art section, the automatic sound alone is not always appropriate when the driver needs it. Guidance information is not always available, and if the frequency of automatic sound generation is increased, there is also a problem that it may feel unpleasant because there is guidance in places where it is not necessary. Request sound is generated. For this reason, automatic audio
When approaching a predetermined guide point, a phrase for voice output at the guide point is selected including a caution sound.
When a request signal is input from the driver, a phrase for voice guidance for the current position is selected according to the request, and when no phrase is stored in the voice buffer, a new phrase is read from a CD-ROM or the like. And stored in the audio buffer.

In the prior art disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-254443, when a request from a driver or the like is made, voice guidance of the current position at the point where the request is made is performed. When the audio output phrase is not stored in the audio buffer, the CD-RO
It is necessary to read a necessary voice guidance phrase from M or the like and store it in a voice buffer. For this reason, there is a time delay from when the request is received until the guidance voice is actually output, and the voice guidance cannot be smoothly received.

The guidance phrase used for voice guidance is CD-R
Instead of reading from external recording media such as OM, ROM
If it is held inside by such as, it is possible to reduce the time delay. However, a large-capacity ROM or the like must be implemented. Also, it becomes difficult to change the content of the voice guidance. It is also conceivable to record a phrase for voice guidance in shorter units, and perform voice guidance by combining voices for each Japanese kana character, for example. However, it is difficult to hear the sound assembled in such a manner as a sound having a natural flow. For this reason, in order to perform smooth voice guidance, it is necessary to use a recording medium capable of recording voice phrases with a certain amount of large capacity. Accordingly, audio data cannot be output immediately.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an audio output phrase which is recorded on a large-capacity recording medium.
An object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device with voice guidance that can provide voice guidance immediately in response to a user request.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a navigation device with voice guidance that guides the vehicle on the basis of a preset route while detecting the current position of the vehicle, and uses voice for guidance. Regarding voice guidance, a user request means for receiving a request from a user, and an output voice phrase to be generated in response to a request to the user request means, regardless of whether there is a request to the user request means, Request voice creating means for creating according to a predetermined rule between the position and the route, and automatically generating according to the predetermined rule when the current position of the vehicle approaches a predetermined guide point along the route An automatic voice generating means for generating an output voice phrase;
When an output voice phrase is generated by the automatic voice generation means, voice guidance is performed using an external output voice phrase,
And a voice guidance output means for performing voice guidance using an output voice phrase created by the request voice creation means when a user requests the user request means. .

According to the present invention, the navigation apparatus with voice guidance guides the traveling of the vehicle based on a preset route while detecting the current position of the vehicle, and uses voice at the time of guidance. The navigation apparatus with voice guidance includes a user request unit, a request voice generation unit, an automatic voice generation unit, and a voice guidance output unit. The user request means receives a request from the user for voice guidance. The request voice creating means sets an output voice phrase to be generated in response to a request to the user request means, regardless of whether there is a request to the user request means.
It is created according to a predetermined rule between the current position of the vehicle and the route. When the current position of the vehicle approaches a predetermined guide point along the route,
An output speech phrase to be automatically generated is created according to a predetermined rule. The voice guidance output means, when the output voice phrase is created by the automatic voice creation means,
Voice guidance is performed using the generated output voice phrase, and when a user requests the user request unit, voice guidance is performed using the output voice phrase generated by the request voice generation unit. If the user of the navigation device with voice guidance requests voice guidance from the user request means, the guidance is performed using the output voice phrase that has already been created at the time when the request is accepted. Quick guidance can be provided as compared with the case where an output voice phrase is created.

[0010] In the present invention, at least one of the request voice generating means and the automatic voice generating means may generate the output voice phrase in accordance with the predetermined rule each time the current position of the vehicle is updated. It is characterized by judging whether or not it is.

According to the present invention, at each timing when the current position of the vehicle is updated, at least one of the request voice generating means and the automatic voice generating means determines whether or not to generate an output voice phrase in accordance with a predetermined rule. Judge. Therefore, the automatic voice guidance when the user requests the user request means or when certain conditions are met can be created by reflecting the current position of the vehicle, and appropriate guidance can be performed according to the current position. .

Further, in the present invention, at least one of the request voice generating means and the automatic voice generating means detects that the vehicle is running, and every time the remaining distance is updated with respect to the route. And determining whether to create the output voice phrase in accordance with the predetermined rule.

According to the present invention, the voice guidance automatically generated by the user requesting the user request means or under predetermined conditions is such that the remaining distance is updated while the vehicle is traveling on a preset route. Since it is created at a certain timing, appropriate guidance can be provided in accordance with the remaining distance of the route set in advance.

Further, in the present invention, at least one of the request voice generating means and the automatic voice generating means detects that the vehicle is running, and every time a predetermined time elapses, the predetermined voice is generated. It is characterized in that it is determined whether or not to create the voice output phrase in accordance with a predetermined rule.

According to the present invention, the content of the voice guidance can be changed over time every time a predetermined time elapses while the vehicle is running.

Further, in the present invention, the request voice generating means generates an output voice phrase for guiding information on the front of the vehicle in the traveling direction on the route, and the automatic voice generating means guides a driving operation of the vehicle. An output voice phrase is created.

According to the present invention, the request voice generating means for generating an output voice phrase to be output in response to a request from the user guides information about the forward direction of the vehicle, so that the user is required to Sometimes, voice guidance can be received about the front in the traveling direction. Further, the automatic voice generation means generates an output voice phrase for guiding the driving operation of the vehicle, so that guidance for assisting driving at an intersection or the like can be automatically provided by voice.

[0018] In the present invention, the request voice generating means may include: within the range of a route in which the automatic voice generating means approaches the guide point and automatically generates an output voice phrase;
An output voice phrase in which the content of the output voice phrase automatically generated is changed corresponding to the current position of the vehicle is generated.

According to the present invention, after a guide such as a guide point is provided by the output voice phrase created by the automatic speech creation means, the user makes a request to the user request means, and is automatically created. Output the contents of the voice phrase
An output voice phrase changed according to the current position of the vehicle is created, and voice guidance is provided to the user.
Even if the user cannot sufficiently hear the automatically generated voice guidance, the content of the automatically performed voice guidance is corrected according to the current position if requested by the user request means. Is provided, guidance information required by a user such as a driver can be appropriately converted to speech and provided.

[0020]

FIG. 1 shows a schematic system configuration of a navigation apparatus 1 with voice guidance as one embodiment of the present invention. The navigation device 1 with voice guidance
The current position measuring means 2 measures the current position of the vehicle. The current position of the vehicle can be absolutely detected using, for example, a GPS device. Further, the current position can be estimated by dead reckoning navigation using the change in the traveling direction of the vehicle from a certain reference position and the traveling distance. Since the absolute current position obtained from the GPS device and the relative current position obtained based on dead reckoning navigation may include an error, the vehicle travels on the road by map matching based on map data. Make sure that Map data for roads on which vehicles may travel are CD-
It is recorded on a recording medium 3 such as a ROM or a DVD-ROM. The recording medium 3 is detachable from the external recording device 4, and the recorded contents of the recording medium 3 can be read while the recording medium 3 is mounted on the external recording device 4.

In order to effectively use the voice guidance function in a vehicle equipped with the navigation device 1 with voice guidance,
It is necessary to set a route from the departure point to the destination in advance. The route is set by inputting a departure point, a destination, and, in some cases, a search point on the way, and the route search means 5 searches for an appropriate route using the map data recorded on the recording medium 3. can do. When the vehicle starts running after the route is searched, the route guidance unit 6 uses the display unit 7 to display an image based on the current position measured by the current position measurement unit 2 so that the vehicle travels along the route. Provides guidance by display. In the image display using the display means 7, a road map centering on the own vehicle position, which is the current position of the vehicle, is displayed and scrolled with the movement of the own vehicle position to obtain information on roads around the own vehicle position. To be displayed. The display magnification of the road map and the like can be changed by operating the input device 8.

In the navigation device 1 with voice guidance, not only route guidance by image display using the display device 7 but also voice guidance can be performed. The input device 8 also includes a user request unit that receives a voice guidance request from a user. It is preferable that the voice guidance is performed in a sound as natural as possible.
A voice phrase recorded in a compressed state in a data format such as DPCM is selected and stored in a table in the memory 9, and the voice synthesizing unit 10 outputs the content of the voice phrase stored from the memory 9. The readout and the voice guidance are performed. Each voice phrase is recorded on the recording medium together with individual identification information, and a table in the memory 9 stores the identification information. In the present embodiment, the creation of the voice phrase in the memory 9 is performed by the automatic voice generation unit 11 and the request voice generation unit 12. When the automatic speech creation means 11 creates an output speech phrase and stores it in the memory 9, the speech synthesis means 10 reads the identification information of the output speech phrase from the memory 9, reads out the data of the output speech phrase from the recording medium 3, and An audio output is derived from the speaker 13. The output speech phrase created by the request speech creation unit 12 is read out from the memory 9 by the speech synthesis unit 10 and output as speech from the speaker 13 when the user inputs a request to the user request unit of the input device 8.

FIG. 2 shows a procedure for creating data for voice guidance in the navigation device 1 with voice guidance shown in FIG. The procedure starts from step a1 and proceeds to step a2
Then, the current position measuring means 2 measures the current position of the vehicle,
Wait for output as location data. The current position measuring means 2 detects the absolute position of the vehicle as a GPS device, calculates the relative position of the vehicle by dead reckoning, or corrects the current position of the vehicle by map matching. appear.

When the location data is given in step a2, it is determined in step a3 whether or not the automatic audio output timing has come. The automatic voice output timing is, for example, a predetermined distance, for example, 700 m, 300 m, or 100 m from an intersection or branch road for guidance.
At such points, the timing at which the voice guidance ends is set in advance. If it is determined in step a3 that it is the automatic audio output timing, automatic audio output data is created in step a4. Automatic audio output data
For example, when the user is about to reach 300 m from an intersection to make a right turn, voice phrases such as "approximately", "300", "meter ahead", and "rightward" are arranged. Each voice phrase is assigned a unique identification number, and each voice phrase can be specified by specifying the identification number. When the automatic audio output data is created in step a4, the automatic audio output data is set in an automatic audio output data table provided in the memory 9 in step a5.

If it is determined in step a3 that the timing is not the automatic audio output timing, or if the automatic audio output data is set in the table in step a5, the request audio creating means 12 creates the request audio output data in step a6. The request voice creation data is, for example, in the range in which the automatic voice output data is created in step a4, not the condition of 700 m, 300 m, and 100 m from the guide point, but the distance between the own vehicle position and the guide point at that time. For example, audio output data corresponding to 500 m
For example, "approximately", "500", "meters",
Change the distance part, such as "Right direction". Outside the range of the automatic audio output, the request audio output means creates audio output data for guiding a route ahead of the vehicle in the traveling direction. Request voice creation means 12
In step a7, the audio output data created by
And returns to step a2.

FIG. 3 shows the data format of the output audio data set in the table 15 of the memory 9. The table is initially populated with the number of voice phrases,
Identification information indicating a voice phrase is set by the number of the data. As described above, the voice phrase such as "approximately", "300", "meter ahead", "rightward", etc., has four data and the identification information is ID1, ID2, ID3, I3.
D4. ID1 to ID4 are unique information and are respectively associated with specific voice phrases. Table 1
5 is set separately for the automatic voice and for the request voice. The usable speech phrase data itself is recorded in the recording medium 3 in advance, and the speech synthesis unit 10
The voice phrase data is read from the recording medium 3 based on the identification information set in the table, converted into an analog signal, and sound output from the speaker 13.

FIG. 4 shows the relationship between the automatic voice guidance and the request voice guidance. A guide point 21 is provided along a route 20 on which the vehicle 30 travels, and automatic guide positions 22, 23, and 24 are set at predetermined distances from the guide point 21, for example, at positions of 700 m, 300 m, and 100 m.
The automatic voice output timing determined in step a3 in FIG. 2 is determined based on the traveling speed of the vehicle 30 and the time required for reading the voice guidance phrase from the recording medium 3 to the automatic guidance positions 22, 23, and 24. It is determined that the timing is an automatic audio output timing at a timing preceding the arrival by the time. Thereby, for example, when reaching the automatic guidance position 23 at a distance of 300 m from the guidance point 21, the above-described voice guidance such as “approximately”, “300”, “meter ahead”, and “right direction” is provided. Can be done at precise distances.

Although the automatic guidance positions 22, 23, and 24 are set in advance with respect to the guidance point 21, guidance at an appropriate timing is not always performed depending on the actual running state of the vehicle 30. Performing the automatic guidance too frequently may be troublesome for the driver, so the frequency of the automatic voice guidance is set so as not to be too large. A user who wants to check the content of the automatic voice guidance makes a request to the user request means of the input device 7, and the request voice creation means 12 changes the content according to the current position of the vehicle at that time. The contents of the automatic voice guidance can be repeatedly output to confirm the guidance contents.

The request sound creating means 12 creates some sound output data as shown in step a6 of FIG. 2 even when there is no request from the user to the user request means of the input device 8. The voice output data generated by the request voice generating means 12 provides information about the front of the route, such as "This is a city expressway ahead", "About", "5", "Kilometer", "Destination". I do.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention.
2 shows a procedure for generating voice output data performed by the navigation device with voice guidance 1 of FIG. 1. The procedure is started from step b1, and in step b2, the process waits for a remaining distance update notification from the route guidance unit 6 in FIG. The remaining distance update notification is sent to the route search unit 5.
When the vehicle travels along the route searched for, the remaining distance from the current position of the vehicle to the destination is updated in accordance with a change in the current position of the vehicle. When the remaining distance update notification is made in step b2, step b3
To determine whether it is the automatic audio output timing. Steps b3 to b7 are described in FIG.
Are basically performed in the same manner as the steps a3 to a7 shown in FIG. However, in the request voice output data creation in step b6, voice guidance reflecting the remaining distance notified by the remaining distance update notification can be performed. For example, if the distance to the destination as described above is provided, the remaining distance can be provided at any position.

FIG. 6 shows, as still another embodiment of the present invention, a procedure for generating voice output data performed by the navigation apparatus 1 with voice guidance of FIG. The procedure starts from step c1, and in step c2, a timer interrupt generated at regular intervals from the timer 14 shown in FIG. 1 is waited. FIG.
The timer 14 is set so as to measure the time during which the vehicle is traveling, and to generate an interrupt when the time during which the vehicle travels exceeds a certain time. Each step from step c3 to step c7 is basically equivalent to each step from step a3 to step a7 in FIG. In this embodiment,
Since the interrupt generated every time a predetermined time elapses from the timer 14 that operates while the vehicle is running is used as the trigger timing for generating the audio output data, the current position of the vehicle is measured and the remaining distance is calculated. Even when it is not possible, a trigger for creating the audio output data can be reliably obtained if the vehicle is running.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention, the output voice phrase as the automatic voice output is automatically output, and the output voice phrase prepared in advance is used at the timing requested by the user. Therefore, guidance by voice data can be immediately received.

Further, according to the present invention, the content of the voice guidance can be updated by using the timing at which the current position of the vehicle is updated as a trigger, and appropriate voice guidance can be performed for the current position.

Further, according to the present invention, the voice guidance according to the remaining distance can be performed by using the timing of updating the remaining distance on a preset route as a trigger.

Further, according to the present invention, the content of the voice guidance is updated with the elapse of a predetermined time as a trigger.
The content of the audio output can be reliably changed in accordance with the change of the current position during the running of the vehicle.

Further, according to the present invention, when information on the front in the traveling direction of the vehicle along the route is required, the user only has to make a request to the user request means, and the information necessary for passing through an intersection or the like is automatically provided. Created and provided as audio.

Further, according to the present invention, automatically generated and guided voice information is repeated based on a request from the user to the user request means, excluding a portion corresponding to a change in the current position. You can make it sound and check the contents.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic system configuration of a navigation device with voice guidance 1 as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure for creating output audio data in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a format of audio output data created in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of FIG. 1 when guiding along a route;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing positions where automatic voice generating means 11 and request voice generating means 12 generate output voice data.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for creating output audio data according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for creating output audio data according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Navigation apparatus with voice guidance 2 Current position measurement means 3 Recording medium 5 Route search means 6 Route guidance means 8 Input device 9 Memory 10 Voice synthesis means 11 Automatic voice creation means 12 Request voice creation means 13 Speaker 14 Timer 20 Route 21 Guide point 22, 23, 24 Automatic guidance position

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A navigation device with a voice guide that guides the running of a vehicle based on a preset route while detecting a current position of the vehicle, and uses voice at the time of guidance. Means for receiving a request from the user request means, and an output voice phrase to be generated in response to the request to the user request means, regardless of whether or not there is a request to the user request means, between the current position of the vehicle and the route. Request voice generating means for generating according to a predetermined rule; automatic voice for generating an output voice phrase to be automatically generated according to a predetermined rule when the current position of the vehicle approaches a predetermined guide point along a route When the output voice phrase is generated by the generating unit and the automatic voice generating unit, the voice is output using the external output voice phrase. Conducted an internal,
Voice guidance output means for providing voice guidance using an output voice phrase created by the request voice creation means when a user requests the user request means. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the request voice generating unit and the automatic voice generating unit determines whether or not to generate the output voice phrase in accordance with the predetermined rule at each time when the current position of the vehicle is updated. The navigation device with voice guidance according to claim 1, wherein the determination is made. 3. At least one of the request sound generating means and the automatic sound generating means detects that a vehicle is running, and at each time when a remaining distance is updated with respect to the route, The navigation device with voice guidance according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not to generate the output voice phrase according to a predetermined rule. 4. At least one of the request sound generating means and the automatic sound generating means detects that the vehicle is running and, every time a predetermined time elapses, according to the predetermined rule. 2. The navigation device with voice guidance according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not to generate the voice output phrase. 5. The request voice generating means generates an output voice phrase for guiding information about the front of the vehicle in the traveling direction on the route, and the automatic voice generating means outputs an output voice for guiding a driving operation of the vehicle. A phrase is created.
5. The navigation device with voice guidance according to any one of 4. 6. The output voice phrase automatically generated within a route where the automatic voice generation means approaches the guide point and automatically generates an output voice phrase. The navigation device with voice guidance according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an output voice phrase whose content is changed corresponding to the current position of the vehicle is created.